Ferry to Sweden
Kiel - Gothenburg
Comfortable overnight ferry from Germany to Gothenburg – with Stena Germanica or Stena Scandinavica across the Baltic Sea
- Overnight in 14 hours from Kiel to Gothenburg
- Daily departures
- Also bookable as a mini-cruise
Route guide
Kiel - Gothenburg: the route guide
Everything about the Kiel–Gothenburg overnight ferry: getting to the Schwedenkai terminal, check-in, life on board the two Stena ships, and onward travel from Gothenburg.
Getting to Kiel ferry terminal
The ferry departs from the Schwedenkai terminal right in the centre of Kiel, Germany – the address for your sat nav is Schwedenkai 1, 24103 Kiel. Coming from the south, take the A7 motorway and the Elbe Tunnel, then switch to the A215 towards "Kiel Zentrum / Fähren" and follow the signs to the port and terminal. Short-stay car parks are right at the harbour, with cheaper long-stay parking a little further out; both are chargeable.
Without a car, the terminal is easy to reach: it's about 800 metres on foot from Kiel Hauptbahnhof (Kiel's main railway station) via Kaistraße, and city buses stop right nearby at Bootshafen and Holstenbrücke. Regional and long-distance trains serve Kiel, including an hourly service from Hamburg taking just over an hour and a quarter.
Check-in and departure
The Kiel–Gothenburg route is an overnight ferry: you board in the evening and arrive in Gothenburg around fourteen hours later, the next morning. Be at the terminal at least 60 minutes before the boarding time shown on your ticket; the exact departure time is on your e-ticket and in the timetable. If you arrive late, your booking can be forfeited without a refund, so build in a buffer.
Keep a valid ID card or passport handy. Random border checks are possible between Germany and Sweden, and you won't be able to travel without proper identification.
On board the Stena Germanica and Scandinavica
Two ships run this route: the Stena Germanica and the Stena Scandinavica. Since it's an overnight crossing, every booking includes a cabin, available from Standard through Superior to Deluxe, some with a balcony or whirlpool. On board you'll find several restaurants ranging from à la carte dining to a buffet, bars, an onboard shop, the Happy World children's play area, and casino games.
Payment on board and in both ports is cashless only: credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) and debit cards (Maestro) are accepted, but cash is not taken anywhere. In Sweden you'll be paying in Swedish kronor everywhere else, but on this crossing your card is all you need.
Vehicles, motorhomes and electric cars
Cars, motorbikes and motorhomes go on the large vehicle decks; the longer and taller your vehicle, the higher the fare. Travelling with a dog? A pet cabin is compulsory and must be booked in advance; pets aren't allowed to stay in the vehicle during the crossing.
You can charge an electric car en route: the Stena Scandinavica has three charging stations for a total of six electric cars, available overnight. Space is limited and must be booked in advance (select it under "Onboard extras" when booking); it covers cars up to 6 metres long and 2 metres high, and excludes motorhomes and vehicles with a trailer.
Arrival in Gothenburg and onward travel
In Gothenburg, the ferry docks at the Germany Terminal, Elof Lindälvs gata, 414 55 Gothenburg, close to the Älvsborg Bridge, which the ships pass under on their way into port. By car, the terminal is signposted from the E6 motorway by the ferry symbols. Without a car, tram lines 3 and 9 run to the Chapmans Torg stop, about a five-minute walk from the terminal; the same lines also connect the terminal to Gothenburg Central Station, with the city centre just a few minutes further.
Gothenburg is your fast gateway to Sweden's west coast. From here it's around four and a half hours to Stockholm by car, or just under three hours by train; Oslo and the rest of Sweden's west coast are also within easy reach.
Tickets and fares
What the crossing costs depends on the season, departure, cabin category and vehicle length. Booking early generally means a better fare; Stena Line runs early-bird and return-trip offers seasonally. Whether and how flexibly you can change or cancel your booking depends on the fare you choose, as set out in the booking conditions. The booking window shows the current price for your travel date, and you'll find an overview on the prices page.
Bookable as a mini-cruise
Stena Line also markets the Kiel–Gothenburg route as a mini-cruise: an outbound and return crossing in one package, two nights in your cabin, with a full day in Gothenburg in between. For the full day-by-day breakdown, see the guide Mini-cruise Kiel - Gothenburg.
Kiel – Gothenburg
Overnight ferry from Kiel to Gothenburg
The Kiel–Gothenburg route connects the northern German port of Kiel with Gothenburg on Sweden's west coast overnight – in around 14 hours across the Baltic Sea. Board in the evening at the Schwedenkai terminal, sleep in your cabin, and wake up the next morning in Sweden's second-largest city.
The crossing is operated by Stena Line with the Stena Germanica and the Stena Scandinavica, with up to one departure a day in each direction. On board you'll find several restaurants, bars, an onboard shop, and cabins ranging from Standard to Deluxe. A highlight of the crossing is sailing into the port of Gothenburg under the Älvsborg Bridge.
- Crossing time
- approx. 14 hrs
- Operator
- Stena Line
- Frequency
- daily
- From price
- €206
Next departures
FAQ Kiel – Gothenburg
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Kiel–Gothenburg ferry route with Stena Line
Which ferries operate the Kiel–Gothenburg route, and what can I expect on board?+
Two ferries operate the Kiel–Gothenburg route: the Stena Germanica and the Stena Scandinavica. Both ships offer a comfortable overnight crossing of around 14 hours. Departure is in the evening, with arrival the following morning. There's up to one departure a day in each direction.
On board you'll find a wide range of facilities: several restaurants (casual dining, an all-inclusive buffet and an à la carte restaurant), bars, an onboard shop, a children's play area (Happy World), casino games, and various cabin types – from Standard to Superior to Deluxe, some with a balcony or whirlpool.
How do I get my ticket, and how much does the crossing cost?+
Once your booking and payment are complete, you'll receive a confirmation email that also serves as your e-ticket. Show this e-ticket at check-in in the port – either on your smartphone or printed out.
The entry-level price for a one-way crossing with a car, driver and cabin depends on the season and how far ahead you book – the booking window shows the current price for your travel date. Extras such as the buffet restaurant or charging an electric vehicle can be added directly during booking under "Onboard extras."
How does check-in work, and what should I keep in mind?+
Exact check-in times vary depending on your departure and are shown on your e-ticket. If you're arriving by car, follow the signs at the port to the vehicle processing lanes and present your e-ticket along with all relevant documents. If you arrive late, your booking may be cancelled without a right to a refund.
Important: only cashless payments are accepted in the ports of Kiel and Gothenburg and on board both ferries – credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) and debit cards (Maestro) only. Cash is not accepted on board or in the ports. Also keep valid ID documents ready, as random border checks are possible.
Can I bring my pet on the ferry?+
Yes, pets are welcome on the Kiel–Gothenburg route, but only in special pet cabins, which must be booked in advance. A maximum of two pets is allowed per cabin. If no pet cabins are available, your pet unfortunately can't travel with you. Important: pets are not allowed to stay in the vehicle during the crossing.
Your pet must be registered at check-in. You'll then be directed by the shortest route to the pet cabin. Outside the cabin and the designated exercise area, pets are not permitted in the general passenger areas. All animals must be vaccinated as required (including a valid rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel) and hold an EU pet passport. When entering Sweden, Swedish customs must also be notified in advance. Assistance dogs travel free of charge and have unrestricted access to all passenger areas.
Can I charge my electric car on board?+
The Stena Scandinavica has three charging stations, where a total of six electric cars (fully electric or plug-in hybrid) can be charged during the overnight crossing. Advance booking is required – select the battery charging option under "Onboard extras" when you book.
The service applies to cars up to 6 m long and 2 m high. Motorhomes and vehicles towing a caravan or trailer are excluded from this offer.